Eradicating Ignorance with the Power of Education

By Sikh Kid 2 Kid (SK2K)

We are Sikh Kid 2 Kid (SK2K), a youth-run organization, founded in 2012 to eradicate ignorance with the power of education. One of the ways we strive to complete our mission is by teaching youth and adults about the different peoples and cultures of the world. In order to do this, we help organize a professional development program for educators where attendees become more culturally competent by visiting houses of worship and learning the history and culture of different faiths. More specifically, we, as students, facilitate the Sikhism portion of the training, helping educators teach religion accurately and create more accepting environments in classrooms.

Our teacher training program helps eradicate a lot of misconceptions that Sikh students face. A very common misconception about Sikhism is that it is a cross between Islam and Hinduism; this is not true, as Sikhism is an independent faith. The misconception of it being a branch or blend of other faiths is a disservice, as it misrepresents the sovereignty of the Sikh identity: it can rob some Sikh students of a feeling of acceptance and belonging, as if no one understands their identity. Because many Sikhs are perceived to be Muslim, they often face the effects of Islamophobia. This can often put Sikh students in a sticky situation, as the Sikh philosophy teaches not to deflect hardship onto others. Simply put, a Sikh student is not likely to throw a Muslim student “under the bus,” but they simultaneously would like the independence of their faith to be recognized. Many textbooks in school are the source of these misconceptions, and thus it is vital to have educators that can look beyond the textbook. Finally, many people are unaware of the magnitude of the global Sikh population; it is the fifth largest religion in the world with over 26 million followers.

We have a plethora of resources for educators to use when teaching about Sikhism, including movies and pamphlets which can be found on sikhkid2kid.com. Though many Sikh students may be excited to present about their identity, it’s important that they are not pressured to act as the teacher. Educators can use many ways not to single out kids. In addition to our resources, we suggest inviting a third party volunteer such as a parent or faith leader to present. Teachers can also invite college students from religious based organizations to speak. We encourage teachers to reach out to students before or after class to avoid putting them in the spotlight. The PTSA can have avenues for students to present Sikh artifacts in the form of skits, turban tying, presentations, and food at international nights.  Apart from that, educators can always offer platforms for students to express their identities through art and music.

If you have any questions about how to teach about Sikhism, or encourage student led initiatives, don’t hesitate to contact us at sikhkid2kid@gmail.com.